The legal sector is currently faced with the challenge of addressing its perceived ‘toxic’ working culture, specifically due to the detrimental effects on employees’ mental health of extended working hours, often in excess of 18 hours a day. Now is the time for law firms to transition away from blaming individual weaknesses and instead recognize their corporate responsibility to provide a healthier work environment for their staff. Read more here.
The SRA’s thematic review of workplace culture shows a strong correspondence between lawyer wellbeing and the psychological safety of their work atmospheres. This concept of psychological safety isn’t new, initially surfacing in the 1990s. It was later emphasized by Google through its Project Aristotle research study, where it was categorized as the top requirement for successful team dynamics. The results suggested that the members of a team need the assurance to candidly voice their thoughts and ideas without the fear of negative consequences.
We must acknowledge that when we encourage lawyers to voice their concerns and vulnerabilities, we are asking them to be open and taking the risk to raise their issues. Creating a supporting environment where they can do so comfortably is the collective responsibility of the professional community, not just a personal trial.